Detachable hook with load-bearing surface

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a detachable hook with load-bearing surface, which can be utilized by movers of heavy items and boxes to comfortably shift the weight of the load from the mover&#39;s arms and back to the mover&#39;s legs, resulting is much less fatigue and reduced risk of injury.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Transporting heavy items and boxes, such as when moving to a new home orapartment, requires the movers to lift and carry heavy loads, oftentimesfor long distances. Movers normally lift the items and boxes by theirhands and stabilize them by their arms and bodies applying most of theweight to their arms and back causing discomfort, fatigue, and injury.

What is needed is a load-bearing device that can be worn by a person whois moving heavy items and boxes that can comfortably shift the weight ofthe load from the mover's arms and back to the mover's legs, resultingis much less fatigue and reduced risk of injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention comprises a device for facilitatingthe carrying of a load by a user, comprising a hook removably attachedto a support element worn by the user, the hook comprising a first armcomprising a length with opposing ends and a width; a second armcomprising a length with opposing ends and a width; a bridge connectingone end of the first arm to one end of the second arm, such that thefirst and second arms are configured in substantially parallelorientation; and a support surface attached to, and extending away from,the first arm such that the support surface and the first arm areconfigured in substantially perpendicular orientation, the supportsurface comprising one or more friction factors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a detachable hook with load-bearing surface.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a detachable hook with load-bearingsurface.

FIG. 3 shows a back perspective view of a detachable hook withload-bearing surface in relation to an attaching support element.

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of a detachable hook withload-bearing surface in relation to an attaching support element.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a detachable hook with load-bearingsurface in relation to a box to be carried.

FIGS. 6 show a bottom perspective view of a detachable hook withload-bearing surface in relation to a box to be carried.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of load-bearingdevices, and more particularly to detachable hook with load-bearingsurface. The detachable hook with loadbearing surface of the presentinvention can be utilized by movers of heavy items and boxes tocomfortably shift the weight of the load from the arms and back of themover to the legs, resulting is much less fatigue and reduced risk ofinjury.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the description proceeds and when taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. To gain a full appreciation of the scope ofthe present invention, it will be further recognized that variousaspects of the present invention can be combined to make desirableembodiments of the invention. Unless defined otherwise, all technicaland scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventionbelongs. Where a term is provided in the singular, the inventor alsocontemplates the plural of that term. The nomenclature used herein andthe procedures described below are those well known and commonlyemployed in the art.

One exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a device forfacilitating the carrying of a load by a user, including a hookremovably attached to a support element worn by the user. In oneexample, the present invention includes a hook configured substantiallyin a U-shaped configuration. The hook may be made from any suitablerigid material such as rigid plastics, rigid rubbers, metals such asaluminum, wood, rigid paper, a combination thereof, and the like. Thesupport element worn by the user may be any support element suitable forthe purpose of supporting the hook and the weight of the load beingcarried, for example, the waistline of pants or jeans worn by the user,or belts or other similar wearable support elements worn by the user.

The hook of the present invention includes a first arm including alength with opposing ends and a width, and also a second arm including alength with opposing ends and a width. The hook also includes a bridgeconnecting one end the first arm to one end of the second arm, such thatthe first and second arms are configured in substantially parallelorientation. In such a configuration, the hook can be removably attachedto the support element, such as a belt worn by the user. The first andsecond arms of the hook can slide over the support element or allow thesupport element to slide in between the first and the second arms of thehook, wherein the arms can clip onto or grip the belt from opposingdirection. The distance between the first and second arms may be set bythe bridge such that the first arm and second are able to tightly cliponto or grip the support member from opposing directions. Exemplarydesired ranges for the distance between the first and second arms of thehook may range between about 1/32 inches to about 2 inches, and moredesired distances range between about 1/16 inches to about 1 inch. Thearms and the bridge of the hook may be constructed to provide someflexibility such that the arms are able to allow the support element,for example a belt, to slide in between them.

The present invention also includes a support surface attached to, andextending away from, the first arm such that the support surface and thefirst arm are configured in substantially perpendicular orientation. Thesupport surface can be used by the user to rest and balance a portion ofthe load, such as an edge or a corner of a box, in order to facilitatethe carrying of a load by shifting the weight of the load from the armsand back of the user to the legs. Alternatively, items to be carried maybe hung from the support surface, for example by one or more hooks,cords, wires, or handles. This allows the user to hold or hang a varietyof loads from the support surface and increasing versatility of thepresent invention. The support surface may be made from any suitablerigid material such as rigid plastics, rigid rubbers, metals such asaluminum, wood, rigid paper, a combination thereof, and the like. Thesupport surface, at rest, may be constructed to be angled slightlyupward from being perpendicular with the first arm, and the supportsurface and the first arm may be constructed to provide some flexibilitysuch that the support surface can move from being angled slightly upwardto become perpendicular with the first arm under heavy loads. Exemplarydesired ranges for the upward angle from perpendicular between thesupport surface and the first arms may range between about 1 degree toabout 30 degrees, and more desired angles range between about 5 degreesto about 15 degrees. The support member may be attached directly to thefirst arm, or be attached indirectly through a connector. The supportsurface may also include one or more friction factors, in order tomaintain grip on the load's corner or edge and to increase frictionbetween the support surface and the load. For example, the frictionfactors may include the type of material from which the support surfaceitself is made of which provides for increased friction, such as rubber,and/or the friction factors may include patterns provided on the surfaceto increase roughness and friction, and also groves or ridges may beprovided on the support surface to increase gripping and frictionbetween the surface and the load. The friction factors may be part ofthe support surface itself, or be separate and attached to the supportsurface.

The components of the present invention may be constructed of a singlepiece of material with uniform cross section, or be constructed ofdifferent pieces and attached to each other. The device of the presentinvention may be cut from a larger block of uniform cross section, or bemade by injection molding. Alternative dimensions may be used toconstruct the present invention in different sizes and configurations.

All headings are for the convenience of the reader and should not beused to limit the meaning of the text that follows the heading, unlessso specified. Various changes and departures may be made to the presentinvention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited to thatspecifically described in the specification or as illustrated in thedrawings, but only as set forth in the claims. Although the inventionhas been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodimentsthereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that theforegoing and various other changes, omissions, and additions may bemade therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

1. A device for facilitating the carrying of a load by a user,comprising: a hook removably attached to a support element worn by theuser, the hook comprising: a first arm comprising a length with opposingends and a width; a second arm comprising a length with opposing endsand a width; a bridge connecting one end of the first arm to one end ofthe second arm, such that the first and second arms are configured insubstantially parallel orientation; and a support surface attached to,and extending away from, the first arm such that the support surface andthe first arm are configured in substantially perpendicular orientation,the support surface comprising one or more friction factors.